Page 101 of Death on Riddle Road

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After the challengesof my call to Teague while driving here, the arrangements came together better than we could have hoped.

Clara had used the same lure as she’d dangled to get us in their doors to bring the elder Dorrios, accompanied by their nephew Emil, and the Carnells, mother and daughter.Obtaining the certainty of justice, in their eyes.

She sidestepped the fact that their views of justice conflicted.

She also didn’t mention to either group that the other would be there.

She persuaded Evan Ferguson, based on the ploy that he’d be doing it for the sake of Jaylynn’s family.

The aide Sally was happy to join.Rose wasn’t.But Teague’s authority accomplished that trick.

They were inside Room One-Twenty-Seven when we responded to Teague’s message by coming down the hall with Robbie, Mamie, and Alan — with one exception.

Dova stood outside, watching us approach.

A hospice staffer I hadn’t seen before held a position that made me think she’d kept Dova from joining us.

“Why were you talking to my son?”she demanded.

“It’s okay, Mom.”

“Let’s go in and we’ll sort this out,” Clara said.

Boy, I hoped she was right.Which meant hoping I was right.Because if I was wrong...

“Go ahead,” Clara added, gesturing for them to proceed us.

They did, though three of the four showed momentary hesitation about entering Room One-Twenty-Seven.

Only Alan didn’t.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

The elder Dorriosand Emil complained loudly as a trio, demanding to know what this was all about.

Admittedly, Room One-Twenty-Seven was a tight fit with all the people in it.And it took maneuvering to get certain individuals situated the way we wanted.

The Dorrios trio was on one side of the bed, along with Clara and me.Olive and Payloma were opposite, then Dova, and the hospice people.Robbie, Mamie, and Alan remained by the foot of the bed, close to the door.

Deputies were out of sight, but nearby.Including two in the bathroom, with the door locked.In case anyone got an urge.

Rose cut through the Dorrio noise.“I’m on duty.I don’t have time for this—”

“We’ll get right to it, then.”Have to admit, I enjoyed interrupting her.“When Derrick Dorrio died, why did you call the landline at the Dorrios’ house — Dova and Robbie’s — instead of Dova’s cell?”

“I didn’t call them.Sally—” She tipped her head toward the aide.“—did.I was making another call.”

To her assistant coroner friend, no doubt.

Before I could ask anything, Sally volunteered, “It was the only number in the records.”

Beverly said, “So what if it was the only number on the records?”

“It’s part of a pattern.”

“What pattern?”Beverly demanded, suspicious.